Ray-emission means



Auwg. 12, 1947. G. G. ELLNER 2,425,672

RAY-EMISS ION MEANS Filed April 25. 1943 4 sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. GEORGE 6. E NEI?.

Aug. 12, 1947. G. G. ELLNER RAY-EMISSION MEANS Filed April 25, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 [ORGE G. ELL/VER. 1.5'. 6

ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 www ATTRNEY Patented Aug. 12, 1947 OFFICE RAY-EMISSION MEANS George G. Ellner, Long Island, N. Y.

Application April 23, 1943, SerialNo. 484,156

. 1 Claim.

This invention relates to the application of rayemission means for treating or sterilizing surfaces and contents of receptacles, containers, tanks, etc., for destroying or appreciably reducing the number of bacteria, yeasts, molds, algae, virus and other micro-organisms or other undesirable germs, and for other germicidal or sterilizing purposes, and to possibly replace pasteurization, heat or chemical sterilization, or lfumigation.

It is proposed to accomplish these objectives by (a) inserting the ray-emission means within the container, tank, room, or other confined or localized area; thus subjecting the surfaces to be treated to the effective emissions or radiations of the source; (b) injecting the ray-emission means into the liquid or other substance, to be treated. I

It has heretofore been the practice of sterilizing utensils, containers, enclosures, etc., by employing steam,'hot water, chemicals, or gases. These means are frequently inexpedient, uneconomical, damaging to the surfaces treated and hazardous to the operators applyi-ng such treatment. Another disadvantage of these sterilizing means is that they may react chemically or otherwise with the contacted surfaces and thereby contaminate or otherwise alter or effect the taste, odor, food value, vitamin content, appearance, or chemical and other properties of the uid or other substance subsequently coming in contact therewith.

It is generally known that in sterilizing food utensils, containers and other equipment in food, beverage, medical, biological, and other industries, the resultant effectiveness of chlorine and other sterilizing Compounds is markedly reduced in the presence of organic and other foreign matter.

Another disadvantage of present sterilizing practices is the failure to effectively treat the environment surrounding the surfaces to whichV chemical' or other sterilizing media are applied, particularly in that they do not sterilize the said environment. The present practice of employing a chlorine or other chemical solution as a sterilizing treatment or final rinse in milk bottles or other containers and closures for same is costly, hazardous and objectionable since the uniform control of the prescribed concentrations of such solutions is ydifficult to maintain; with the result that it is either below the required concentration to be effective as a bactericide, or so highly concentrated as to adversely affect the odor, taste and other characteristics of the-Huid or other substance subsequently storedin such container.

(Cl. Z50-43) The use of steam or Water for sterilization purposes is objectionable in that it is not only costly as regards time, labor and fuel, but also in that they may leave a residual condensate which dlutes or otherwise affects the fluid or substance subsequently placed within or without the vessel or other equipment; such condensate being conduciveto the growth o-f yeast, mold, bacteria, and etc.

In the pasteurization of certain uids and the sterilization of certain fluids and other substances, the temperatures customarily employed for prescribed periods of time are inadequate to destroy thermophylic and other organisms resulting in subsequent premature spoilage.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to reduce or eliminate the disadvantages or objectional features of sterilizing practices heretofore employed.

It is another object of the present invention to efciently utilize in a practical and economical and safe manner ray-emission means for maintaining in good normal condition, sterilizing or otherwise treating surfaces of enclosed or exposed areas; fluids or other substances within or about a vessel or other equipment; the environment therewithin and therewithout, as well as the surfaces of the equipment itself.

It is a further object of this invention to utilize ray-emission means in an effective manner for preventing the fermentation, molding, bacterial, algaeic or other spoilage or changes in and maintaining intact in good condition for appreciable periods, fluids or 'other substances, stored, contained, transported, piped,` packaged, or bottled.

Yet a further object of the present invention is vto increase the .vitamin Dcontent in certain fluids and other substances by suitable and effective application of ray-emission means, in a safe, economical and non-hazardous manner, While such iiuid or substance is in the process of being stored, contained, transported, piped, packaged or bottled.

A still further object ofthe present invention is to provide ray-emission means adapted to Abe installed permanently or temporarily in tanks, vehicles, compartments, and other containers or receptacles, in such manner asV to provide a sterile environment surrounding fthe substance to be treated as well as `to irradiate the surface of such substance, without being in direct contact therewith.-

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will appearas the description proceeds. To enable others skilled in the art so fully andere 3 to comprehend the underlying features thereof hat they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting certain forms of the invention have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all of the views, of which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic sectional View of a conveyer system incorporating bactericidal ultraviolet lamps, intermittently lighted;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevational View partl in section of one of the turrets; Fig. 3 is a partial plan view showing a link belt 'with the bactericidal lamp units and the electrical contact rails;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged views showingv plungers in various stages of operationflifting4 bottles into operative positions and withdrawing the same;

Fig. 7 illustrates a modified form of bottle and larpca'rrielink; i Fig. 8'is a sectional View taken along line |2|L2l OfFi'g6';` Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional View illustrating a nombre1-.eating me electrical cotactiaiis Fig. .1'0"isan er'ilarge'dpartialsectional view of the contact pointsfof one ofthe lampsockets;

"Fig l1 isa cross-sectional view of a lamp in Inodiiied forni having afluidj central; passage;

`Fig'.'1 2 isa cross-sectional View taken alongline 29;-429 ofFig.ln1 ;Y v Fig,13isa-cross-sectionaliview of a modified form oil-lamp` having two Huid' chambers, with lamp chamber therebetween; -Y Fig. llfis across-sectional View taken along line Tuul-emily, f

Figf'415fis a cross-section through a lamp flattened into substantially rectangular'shape;

16 is a partial cross-sectional View through a tank truck'utilizing ray-emission'lampsf i Fig.` -17 is-a 'top view ofthe arrangement of rayemi'ss-ion lamps showninFig-- 16;-

Fig. -18 is a cross-sectional -view of stationary tank utilizing ray-emissionl lamps in` another form.; and. Fig. 19` is a diagrammatic View of a further form of the invention.r Fig. y1 illustrates diagrammaticallya section of thel endlesslinkf belt -bottle carrier 85,:- comprising ff the vhindividual connecting-links 80g movable about thefturretvl by-means of a sprocket wheelV B Zkeyed'es at'8 3`t0"the shaft 84 ofturretjl;`

These lin-*ks--v80are hingedlyconnected by pins nf-Each individual -link'80 is'provided with av lower projection 8'] at' one end andan upper projection ASifat its other'end. (Figs. 4,0). Informe ingga'continuous chain `or-link-'belt 85, the upper projection Sais-positioned over lowerkportion v8l' of'theadjacent -link andsecurely held by the said pin 86g thus forming ani endless `cha-inbelt.v Each linkf 8c yis also provided -with' -a l`hub* 89 having la 1 central orifice 90 through which passes a pl'un'ger* 9 'The lower end of plunger-Slis provided with a roller; 92', which is; in Y'Continiioiis engagement with the endless-track 93 havingalow portion 94 4and a y high" portion 951erreasons laterf on described. Ifhe oppositeend ofplunger 19| isy prof in@ th bfiill @emilie Qffihe convenir, l1, cerf trallyf upon'thedisc 995;(Fig.w`1'). lAs thefplunger` a portionof 9| (Figs. 4 to 6) in its travel, moves upward in the direction of the arrow 99, it causes the neck |00 of bottle `|8 to engage a sliding guide member |0|, particularly engaging this guide member lill within the funnel-shaped recess |02. Guide member |0| has centrally located an opening |03 through' which the ray-emitting lamp |04 will pass into the interior of bottle 18 as the plunger 9| has reached its uppermost position of its travel on' track93v (as shown in Fig. 5)

Each ray-emitting lamp |04 :is suspended from a link |05 which is pinned at |06 to form a continuous chain |01 travelling around a sprocket |018 (Fig. 3). Sprocket |08 is keyed at |09 to sh'aft 8| (Fig. 2). Referring to Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 1|);c`entrally'located on link |05 is a lamp socket |7|0` provided with two switch contact points ||`2. "'Aslplunger' 9| reaches the highest point of its travel shown in Fig. 5, the switch' contact points |I|, I2 are brought into engagement with two electrically-charged rails 31, |4, Rails ||;3, |'4f` ekert a. pressure against the contact points |2'` as clearly shown in Fig. 1Q, thusl CUSifigf Said. Gebied' Points to. engage., 'knifev SvVi lis H5, and thus, Causing. lamps H14@ to.. mflifisf Tracks "3., lliaielpcatedonly oren t5@ hlfpsiiii 95. 0f. @1.1.9.3. thus. causing lamps., '04@150 be` energized only whiiebqmes mirar/e1, along iheligh. DQriin. 95, ofthe. continuous. track. 935 TWOIOQS nieuwe theslidinemembers IBI which arev shown as retaining theirjlcwered position bytheeiion of gravity (Figs, 4. 5. 6,). 1f., desired, however, springs lil, (Fig. 7) may be; employed, to urge the guiding member, downwardly into its lower positionagainst stops 'I I8.

The individual links 8i)4 (Fig. 1) are preferably provided with lugs ||9 resting on rails I2!)` for the purpose of ,supporting the bottle 'carrier- 85. To--assure the properY guiding of the bottle 18 y, from'conveyer 'Hg onto the bottle carrier 85, a

transverseY member "15, is positioned diagonally" across conveyer ybelt causing bottle 1B toroll against sprocket, M having'notches |3'to accomr' modatebottle 1.8: To prevent bottlev lfrom fall;

ate-'length is secured to the device.

' Bottles` 78V thus travelin th'e direction of yarrow-1|' luntil they reach the sprocket Illa froin` whence they will be removed onto' the conveyer belt VHbymeans of the"secondftra'nsverse inem# ber 15a. To prevent possible dislodgment of bot-' ties 1a1 before reachingfthe conve'yr beit at that point it hasl been considered advisable 'to provide anapron :,.s A. .v. vI iamp'sockets 0, while in engagement with thecharge Prails l| I3 |4` are protected by" a' vho'sing' |2| which' also contains the 'conventional' transformer |22 (Fig. 9). The turret 8| is driveny by 'gears |23,^i24 (Fig. 2).' 'shaft |25 of gear |24 maybe connected to a suitable driving meafns',A`

suon as; for example, an "electric motor-"mbsf shownyor it maybe' 'connected te' intermediate f transmission means in trrrconnted tothe' Iont# ing. means'of the convey'er belt "11, vthus assuring the inv'erit'ionfto the sterilization oifoihrjiike treatment "of" bottles, i'iuvftiie process wasii'ed or the iling macnine; orlboth. Thabor-i" ties may be ,sterilized-'before being uedonwhlie tions.

Reference will, now

when esserne Urbains.

be. madeto Figs. .11 .to 15. 4inclusive, illustratingmultiplewalled tubes. Figs.

l1 and 12 show a main fluid passage tube 2 I 0 surrounded by a secondary tube 2| I. Tube 2 I `I completely seals a space 2I2. Electrodes 2I3, 2|4 enter space 2I2 at its two opposite ends. Fig. 11 discloses the electrodes 2I3, 2I4 at opposite ends on the same side of tube 2 I I, but it is to be understood that the electrodes may be disposed at diagonally opposite ends of tube 2II or otherwise. Mercury droplets 2I5 of the required amount and the required gas or gases are enclosed in space 2|2 for a purpose well known in ray-emitting lamps. In some instances it may be advisable to coat the inside of the wall 2| I with a suitable reflecting medium 2 I 6, for directing and concentrat- :ing the rays emitted from tube 2| I toward the in- .ner fluid passage tube 2 I0. The fluid in passing through tube 2I0, is treated by the rays emitted from tube 2II. Where tube 2II has bactericidal qualities, the bacteria, etc., in the uid passing through tube 2 I Il, are killed.

Figs. 13 and 14 show a construction similar to that shown in Figs. 11, 12, except that a third jacket or tube 2 I 'I is provided to accommodate additional fluid or substance to be irradiated through inlet and outlet nozzles 2I8, 2 I9. In this instance, the central passage tube 220 has sealed thereto the secondary ray-emitting tube 22 I provided with electrodes 2|3, 2 I4; the external jacket 2I1 being sealed to wall 222 of secondary tube 22|. It is again to be understood that a plurality of these tubes may be connected together in any suitable manner and by any suitable means.

The tubular device shown in Fig. 15 is similar in construction to the device shown in Fig. 11, except that it is substantially rectangular, oval or elongated in cross-section. This device may be straight along its length or provided with a plurality of corrugations 223, thus increasing the effective length of the fluid passage through the device within a relatively short length thereof, and of course, thus increasing the active area of vtreatment of the lamp tube. It is understood that 'either the inner tube 224 or the outer tube 225 'may be the fluid passage tube in which instance 'the remaining tube 224 or 225 will be the ray- -emitting tube.

It is understood that the foregoing tubular de- 'vices may be circular, oval, or rectangular in cross- .'section, or spiral, ribbon-like, corrugated or astraight; or of any other desirable configuration. Also, that the said tubular devices may be adapt- :ed for containing passageways for any desirable .iiuid, such as, for examples, milk, wine, water, .creams, gas; or for powder, crystals, grains, or any ziother substance to be irradiated.

It is further contemplated herein that any num- .ber of co-axial or concentric ducts or tubes for :respectively containing the ray-emission means fand the substance to be irradiated may be employed; or a plurality of individual tubes or ducts may be arranged whereby the ray-emitting ones :are dispersed amongst those containing the subistance to -be irradiated, in any desired manner, the wvhole system being unitedy in a manner similar say, for example, to tubes or ducts in a boiler, con- *denser` or the like, but, if desired, with provision for unidirectional flow or return for continuous ir- ."radiation. Fig. 19 generally indicates, diagram- .matically by way of example, such a system, wherein the ray-emitting tubes or ducts are rep- :resented by the letter R, and the tubes o1- ducts :containing the substance to be treated by irradia- 'tion are represented by the letter L. In Fig, 19, "the letter T represents the casing for these tubes nor ducts.

Where ray penetration is not required or necessary beyond the outer extremity of the ray-emission device, the said outer extremity may be made of a material impervious to the rays, or may be provided with a suitable rellective coating to refleet the rays (which would -be otherwise lost) inwardly, and thus increase the intensity of irradiation, as Well as furnishing a protective medium for persons in its vicinity. Such a coating is indicated in Fig. 11 by the numeral 2| 6 and in Fig. 19 by the letter Rf. Y

Any suitable means, such as, gravity, suction, compressed air, etc., may be employed to impart continuous movement to the substance to be irradiated, when desired.-

The tubular devices illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15 inclusive, and Fig. 19 are adaptable for many different uses, such as, for example, when it is desired Yto pasteurize milk while in transit from the milk-producing farm to the bottling plant. It is obvious that this procedure will save a great deal of time otherwise consumed where the milk is pasteurized after the track has delivered the milk to the plant. As illustrated in Figs. 16, 17, the conventional milk tank-truck is provided with the tank 221 secured to a conventional frame 228. A circulating pump 229 will pump the milk, during transit, through a plurality of tubes 23|, which may be similar in construction to those shown in Figs. 11 to 15 or 19, thus practically eliminating all harmful bacteria and other organisms from the milk before the truck reaches its destination.

Fig. 18 illustrates a plant similar to that shown in Fig. 16, except that it is of a stationary construction. In this case, the tank 235 contains the uid 236 to be pasteurized, sterilized, irradiated or otherwise treated. Within tank 235, a header 231 is suspended by a bracket 238. A plurality of tubes 239 which may be similar to the ones described in Figs. 11 to 15, are suspended from header 231 to within a short distance of the lloor 240 of the tank 235. The fluid 236 reaches a pump 24| through a, suction pipe 242. From pump 24| the fluid enters header 231 through a piping arrangement 243. Thus, a continuous flow will be provided for the fluid for any desired length of time.

From the foregoing it is seen that there has been provided by this invention ray-emission and irradiation means and devices, in which the various objects hereinabove set forth, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

An apparatus for irradiating containers, comprising an endless conveyer comprising a plurality of connected links, each of said links being provided with a guide hole and a recess surrounding said hole, a vertically-disposed plunger slidable in said hole, said plunger having a roller at its lower end and a platform at its vupper end, said platform being adapted to support a container to be irradiated, said platform being receivable in said recess when said plunger is at its lowermost position, an endless track disposed below said conveyer and having an undulatory surface, said roller being in continuous engagement with said surface, an endless carrier disposed above said conveyer, said carrier being provided with a plurality of connected members, at least one of said members carrying a pair of downwardly-disposed spaced guide rods and a ray-emission lamp disposed between said rods, a guide element slidable on said guide rods, said element having an opening and a recess communicating with ,said openiig, .said latter-mentioned recess being adapted to receive the upper end of a container4 when positioned on said .platformthe portion of said surface of said track below said element being raised, said element being sldable upwardly on said guide rods by said container during, upward movement of said plunger when said plunger .is brought to a position in vertical alineinent with said element whereby said lamp may project Within said container toirradiate said containenmeans for energizing said, lamp, and means for driving said conveyer and said carrier in unison.

GERGE G.

D REFERENCES CITED The following references re of record in the le of this patent: 

